Iran says it's not seeking nuclear weapons

IRAN'S Supreme Leader says Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons, but that no power could stop Tehran's access to an atomic bomb if it intended to build it.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on all state matters in Iran, told a group of Iranians at his residence in Tehran that Iran backs the elimination of nuclear weapons.

His comments were posted on Saturday on his website, khamenei.ir.

Iran has been highlighting a religious decree issued by Khamenei that bans nuclear weapons in an effort to back up its claim that Iran's nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes and medical research.

The US and its allies fear that Iran might ultimately be able to develop a nuclear weapon.